Poof goes that thread. Can't have other PA writers getting silly ideas that they should get free books. It would cut into PA's obscenely high profit margin.
That same book at CreateSpace (if the author gets their Pro Plan) would cost him 2.15 per copy.
He could sell it on Amazon for 4.99 and make an .84 royalty.
Of course he would not be doing any store signings, but he's got that already with PA.
No, but at that price the author could afford to buy stock. Since the book is poetry, they would probably sell at non-bookstore venues where the author does readings. In those cases the author would most likely have to bring their own stock.
And please, that's not a slam against self-publishing. It's an acknowledgement that poets often do readings and signings in different venues. In fact, I kinda think self-publishing might be better for most poets simply because the market is so different. They'd probably stand to make better money.